The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Welcome to Sarasota County's community e-newsletter. If you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback relating to this newsletter, contact us at  communications@scgov.net .  Unpaid 2016 property taxes are delinquent on Sat., April 1 If you have not yet paid your 2016 property taxes, don't let the Friday, March 31 deadline pass or you will face an additional charge. Big Truck EGGstravaganza returns  April 15  to Twin Lakes Park Big trucks and two egg hunts are in store for kids at the 21st annual Big Truck Day EGGstravaganza, sponsored by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. Venice Library to close  April 7  for maintenance Venice Library, 260 N. Nokomis Ave., will be closed  Friday, April 7 , while the City of Venice performs maintenance on the building. Vote for Sarasota County in nationwide parks competition Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is taking part in the "Meet...

Just an FYI: A mass mailing from the Property Appraiser says TRIM notices will be mailed out in August. These are the notices of proposed property taxes. They are not a bill, but an estimate of your taxes based on new assessed value. While the paper notices are due in August, the mailing indicates that they will be available for viewing on the Property Appraiser's Website in early July: www.SC-PA.com 

SARASOTA COUNTY — More than $10 billion bled from the county’s tax base last year, a decline that translates into a tax cut for many, but more layoffs and a $40 million budget shortfall for the county. The biggest drop came in North Port, where more than $2 billion was shed from the city’s tax base. That amounts to one third of the taxable value of all homes in the county’s second-largest city. Venice’s tax base contracted by 18 percent, Sarasota’s by 13 percent and Longboat Key’s by 10 percent. Part of the drop stemmed from voters approving Amendment 1 on Jan. 29, doubling the homestead exemption to $50,000. Most of the county’s 17 percent decline in taxable values came from a reduction in property assessments because of the slowdown in the real estate market. See also: Florida's Save Our Homes tax benefit loses luster How could Save Our Homes, designed to lower taxes, permit a tax increase at a time of falling home values?

Beach parking fees may be coming County officials to solicit bids for program By Zac Anderson Published Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 4:30 a.m. SARASOTA COUNTY — A plan to charge people up to $2 an hour to park at all of Sarasota County's beaches moved ahead Wednesday, with a final County Commission decision expected later this year. Contact your County Commissioners and weigh in.

I've tried to gather links from credible sources on all sides of the issue. If you know of other good links, please share. Thanks - TM. VoteSmartFlorida has updated its information. Orlando Sentinel Q & A Sun Sentinel Overview Some blog resources. Herald Trib Opinion News Press coverage Topix Discussion Democratic Underground thread FL CFO Alex Sink St. Pete Times editorial Gainesville Sun editorial Sarasota Officials have their say on WUSF TaxWatch Opinion

The Jan. 29th Florida Tax Amendment is now being debated, but the details are still unclear to many. Below are a few links that might help: VoteSmart Voter Guide News Summary of Amendment, debate Florida Tax Watch Explanation Florida Tax Watch Discussion More material from Florida Tax Watch This story is still developing, and coverage and commentary will intensify over the next three weeks. Stay abreast of the news by googling the Florida Tax Amendment . The Tax Amendment will be discussed by the Sarasota County Tourist and Economic Development Board: Please join Sarasota County's Tourism and Economic Development Board on Tuesday, January 15, 6 PM, Nokomis Park Community Center, 234 Nippino Trail, Nokomis in presenting a panel discussion to educate our community on the upcoming January 29th Referendum! Forward to friends and all interested parties! Please call Carolyn Keber if you have any questions: 941-861-5075. Hope to see you there!